I downloaded Ubuntu to my laptop and performed the hash check and used Rufus to put the iso image on my flash drive and then I restarted the laptop and booted from the usb. After that was completed a message on the laptop said to reboot, so I did. I had been connected to the Internet by my home wifi and after a few hours I realized that I was not connected to the Internet and I connected via ethernet. Now it has been over 24 hours and my laptop is still trying to reboot after the install. So, what do I do now?
OK, that was easy. Once I powered off the laptop and did a cold boot, Ubuntu loaded. Now all I have to do is learn how to use it. Thanks!